Memorandum of Conversation between M.S. Gorbachev and Károly
Grósz, General Secretary of the Hungarian Socialist Workers Party

Moscow, 23-24 March 1989

Excerpt

HUNGARIAN SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY

CENTRAL COMMITTEE TOP SECRET

Made in 2 copies

Inf/1371/1989

REPORT

for members of the Political Committee

[ 29 March 1989]

[...]

I.

Comrade Grósz informed the negotiators about the Hungarian situation.
He said that the events in Hungary have lately accelerated. Their direction
is according to our intentions, while their pace is somewhat disconcerting.
Comrade Grósz emphasized that we wish to retain political power
and find a solution to our problems by political means, avoiding armed
conflict.

We have a good opportunity for reaching our goals. People are afraid
of a possible armed conflict. Workers, peasants and professionals want
to work and live in peace and security, safeguarding their property. [...]

Another major concern is the history of the last thirty years. We have
to face our past, hard and painful as it is, the acting participants still
being alive. On the other hand, by drawing the necessary conclusions, we
might dishearten certain layers of our policy's active supporters in the
party. Lack of self-confidence is palpable enough in the party anyway.
[...]

Comrade Gorbachev agreed that the Western world does not want instability
in Eastern Europe, including Hungary as well, because in the present situation
it would be adverse to their interests. Nonetheless , it is quite apparent
that they intend to facilitate the realization and strengthening of a development
which suits their own political ideas.

Comrade Gorbachev emphasized: "The assessment of the events of 1956
is entirely up to you." You have to stand on firm ground; you have to examine
what really happened then and there. The Soviet leadership has recently
analyzed the events of 1968 in Czechoslovakia, and they continue to maintain
that what happened there was a counterrevolution, with all the idiosyncratic
traits of such an event. There were different periods within the Czechoslovak
events, but the Dubcek regime was unable to prevent counter-revolutionary
forces from gaining ground through them. [...]

Comrade Gorbachev emphasized that we clearly have to draw boundaries,
thinking about others and ourselves at the same time. Democracy is much
needed, and interests have to be harmonized. The limit, however, is the
safekeeping of socialism and assurance of stability.

Comrade Grósz emphasized that when referring to 1956, we adhere
to the original evaluation that the party endorsed in December 1956. The
process is described in three consecutive words [sic]: student protest,
uprising, and counter-revolution.

Comrade Gorbachev agreed with the above. He emphasized that today we
have to preclude the possibility of repeated foreign intervention in the
internal affairs of socialist countries. [...]